Monday, March 11, 2013

Signs of the Times: Rainbow Oaks Restaurant

There are those signs with which we are all familiar - Hollywood, Las Vegas, Seattle's Public Market. Those world-famous landmarks are maintained, photographed, celebrated, and revered (and deservedly so). There are, however, many less-glamorous signs along our nation's roadways that are just as deserving of our admiration. I hate to be the guy who goes on and on about the way things "used to be," so instead I will spread the joy of what is still here - glowing, towering, neon signs that continue to beckon us off the highway for a few frames of bowling, a good night's sleep, or a refreshing RC Cola!

Rainbow Oaks Restaurant - Rainbow, CA (est. 1946)

The importance of the Rainbow Oaks sign can not be overstated. Situated in a roadside town of less than 2,000 residents, the sign put Rainbow on the multi-fold, AAA roadmap for motorists who otherwise might have breezed right through town without ever knowing there was a place to stop for a cold beer. In its heyday, the sign was probably as bright and shiny as a brand new penny, but I love the faded beauty of its many components - market & motel, RC Cola, cold beer, the neon Rainbow Oaks, and the pinnacle light box with a cocktail glass that is drunk on its own contents.

My very favorite part though is the spooky, rusted, multicolor, baby-faced chef!
The combination of the faded, colored bulbs, new flood light bulbs, empty sockets, and sawtooth, shark teeth
in the chef's murderous mouth will have Mr. Tiny's nightlight burning until the wee hours for at least a couple weeks!

Instead of fat pictures, I might hang this picture on my refrigerator to keep me from sneaky snacking!

Being a early bird, I always seem to capture these neat signs in the bright light of midday - still beautiful but dim.
To catch this sign in all of its neon glory. you can drive to Rainbow, CA after dark or follow this link.

It is tough to go for a drive with Mr. Tiny because the car makes frequent stops and dangerous, whiplash-inducing maneuvers to get a good photograph of an inspiring sign. If we stopped as much as I wanted to, we would never make it past the county line! Rainbow Oaks Restaurant's sign was definitely worth the stop, with or without a refreshing RC Cola.

My kind of Roadtripper! With my father a family road trip is as follows... "Get in the car, drive like hell to where it is we are going, stay in motel room for duration of trip being forced to watch Ice road truckers (as there is only 1 tv and dads in charge), get back in the car, drive like hell home, reflect on what a 'wonderful' trip we've had." Is it any wonder my sister and I tried escaping at reststops?! What a neat sign, quite the place to stop and rest once upon a time!

There are only a few Arby's signs left in our neck of the woods. I think I've eaten at Arby's once in my whole life; I will say that in spite of the food, I am a HUGE fan of those giant, ten-gallon hats covered in lights. One will definitely be a feature of an upcoming post!